The number of actively trading businesses in Australia increased by 1.0 per cent between June 2013 and June 2014, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

The Australian Business Counts publication showed there were 2,100,162 actively trading businesses in Australia in June 2014, says David Skutenko from the ABS.

“Overall we’ve seen an increase of 20,496 active businesses in Australia since June 2013." said Mr Skutenko "This was due to an increase in new business registrations, as well as a decline in the exit rate of businesses."

The largest number of Australian businesses were in the Construction industry (16.1 per cent), followed by Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (11.9 per cent) and Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services (10.9 per cent).

"Both the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry and the Manufacturing industry have recorded a decline in numbers every year since 2007." said Mr Skutenko.

"Counts of businesses mainly operating in Tasmania and South Australia reduced in June 2014 from June 2013, while all other states and territories increased."

Of the 294,210 new business entries during the 2010-11 financial year:

76 per cent were still operating in June 2012

59 per cent were still operating in June 2013

50 per cent were still operating in June 2014.

The release showed the vast majority (97 per cent) of Australian businesses in June 2014 were small businesses.

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